Trick or Treat...

Morgan learned tricks really early as a puppy and so fast (I could have something mastered in a day)... after having dachshund's with minds of their own, it was such a fun time to have one actually obey.

Morgan learned to fetch the paper, speak, shake, and her famous roll over which has evolved into a dramatic spinning, kill over and fall like your dead scene. But our favorite is the food on the nose trick. She is so patient... this one is really hard to teach.

Taylor has barely learned to speak so far in her 1 1/2 years... she gives a head flip and opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. She keeps trying and sometimes you can hear her breath while she whips her head back and opens her mouth clamping her jaws shut, like she thinks she did it... trying to push out an actual bark, but still not speaking. Then when she realizes she isn't getting the treat, she gets more excited and puts more effort into it, her head totally spins around and she finally she gets out her loudest deepest bark!

This is one of my favorite scenes... silence is bliss!

Silly rabbit tricks are for kids!

Cinco de Mayo Dinner...

All the new recipes I tried turned out great!

The Spanish rice was really good; I added a tsp of wild rice trying to introduce more healthy things to my boys... I figured they would never notice in a new recipe.

They notice, but thought it was good.

The sopapillas of course were the best!

I used my grandma's heart shaped cutter, to share the love... but no one seemed to notice or care about that around my house.

And homemade tortillas are my favorite, I am finally getting them done enough, but not burning them. Practice makes perfect.

As usual, I was the only one really excited about having a themed dinner.

My strong silent mysterious man only eats for nourishment... when will I learn to quit expecting more?

The final game...

Yesterday was the teenagers last golf tournament for the season on his high school team. They would play at his home course, but he has not wanted his Dad or I to come watch him... even for the 1st tee off the entire season.

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I feel like I was being robbed, so I didn't tell him, but just showed up before his tee time. He came over and talked to me, first checking to see if I brought him money to eat after the tournament (the kid is always thinking of his stomach). We he realized I was there to see him tee off... he was horrified, begging me not to watch him... that he would be too nervous! PLEASE LEAVE MOM!!!!

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Heart broken, I agreed to "go away" (I didn't want to throw his entire game off, and it all seems to be a fragile balancing act anyway with golf)... so he went back to his team, and I walked towards the other end of the waiting area found some landscaping to discretely sit behind and waited to hear his name called. I wasn't going to miss this one and I didn't leave with any promises that I wouldn't watch. So this is me stalking my own kid.

I got a few looks from the coaches in the foreground; but once they saw me with a camera, they were a little less suspicious.

Yes of course I was beaming when I heard his name! Tigers Dad might be the only one who knows how full my heart was at this moment. It was a great drive! No wonder he doesn't want me around, I can hardly contain my excitement already and it's only the first ball! I only stayed for this 1st shot, and then left... I promise!

No big surprise; Eagle High School has an awesome golf team and they took the tournament! Their top kid shot under par and is going to State... congratulations! My son loves being part of this excitement it is an individual effort, but they really play and practice as a team really well! It is so neat to see, not all sports or teams work this way. These boys WANT to show up and work hard, they WANT to look nice and they take pride in their sportsmanship and their team! I am loving golf!!

5A DISTRICT THREE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
at Purple Sage Golf Course (par 71)
State qualifiers: The top four teams and top 11 individuals advance to state.

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Eagle (284) - Ty Travis 70 (medalist), Jon Van Dyk 71, Jordan Verner 71, Josh Gilman 72, Jordan Skyles 78.
Centennial (294) - Preston Alder 72, Garret Bringhurst 73, Jacob Ready 74, Derek Snyder 75, David Elliot 88.
Timberline (301) - Kasey Allen 73, Adam Saetrum 75, Colton Hayden 76, Steven Hurd 77, Kyle Delorey 80.
Mountain View (314) - Mark Baer 75, Trevor Kinghorn 76, Austen Gray 79, Jake Brown 84, Kade Kalivas 89.
Rocky Mountain (318) - Derek Ream 76, Michael Steen 80, Stetson Pace 81, Zach Thompson 81, Josh Hasquet 85.
Capital (319) - Daniel LaPorte 73, Justin Mings 80, Robert Blair 82, Chris Cobbler 84, Reid Hammerquist 91.
Borah (323) - Keawe Soares 74, Nick Blasius 81, Sam Smith 83, Nick Kaylor 85, Emory Jones 90.
Boise (324) - Matt Sturgill 74, Jamie Laliberte 80, Brady Comstock 84, John Frizzell 86, Tim Gremp 87.
Caldwell (330) - Holden Bistline 78, Sam Murphy 81, Deken Marmon 85, Jacob Dayley 86, Kasey Yee 89.
Meridian (333) - Kaden Moss 81, Zach Bird 81, Connor Bird 84, Jason Thiele 87, Devin Harmon 99.
Vallivue (346) - Dusty Downs 81, Casey Silveria 83, Jordan Robertson 90, Nick Cain 92, Casey Nicolosi 95.

Caldwell played a better game last week; but this weeks scores is what counts to go to State. So better luck next year Caldwell!

Caldwell (161) - Holden Bisline 41, Sam Murphy 45, Richard Rosenberry 49, Deken Marmon 43, Jacob Dayley 42.

Spring in Idaho...

I saw this view on my way home from the bank today.

I have no idea what kind of harvest it is... maybe dill?

But I love the backdrop of squaw butte behind it!

This is what I love about springtime in Idaho!

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I can't wait for the mint fields!

What will they think of next...

We went out yesterday for an afternoon drive and big surprise we ended up at the sporting goods store. They are going out of business, and having a huge sale. Or so they would advertise. Thrifty deals are all a matter of perspective in my opinion.

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I saw this toy "doggie driver"... where you hit the tennis ball with the golf club and the dog will go fetch it... in this case they used a "black lab" for their advertising.

(probably because they are the most gullible and will chase anything for fun).

I had to laugh... we would be the target demographic to buy this toy!

$19.99 for a tennis ball that would be eaten in 30 min or less!

Seriously, it would be like me shoving a $20 down Taylors mouth!

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Too funny! Maybe this is why they are going out of business!

(Sorry, it is sad... but really!)

Good Mail...

The teenager had been waiting the entire week for this good mail to arrive.

He received a very special patriarchal blessing and had been waiting anxiously for the written copy of it to arrive. It was really neat to see his excitement about it.

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We had tried to teach and prepare him about how special it was going to be for months and weeks leading up to the day, but just couldn't tell how he was taking it all in. When the day arrived, I was worried, he didn't seem to have the reverence I thought he would (or maybe should) as he prepared to receive something so special and personal.

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Then as the hour approached he finally seemed to have a calm peace about him.

As we drove up to the Patriarch's home in the country, you could tell it was an old family homestead. The spring grass was sooo green, the animals all came to the edge of the fences to see who had arrived. You could tell they didn't get many visitors. The home was so quiet and peaceful and humble. I remember all the feelings I had arriving to the home to receive my own, and then with my husband to receive his, and I want to always remember the feelings I had with my son. Somehow not just the moment, but the whole day felt really special to me.

I was so anxious to hear his reaction afterwards, but like his Dad... he was pretty calm cool and collected about it all! I still wasn't sure how he was going to take it all in, and how it would impact him.

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Then I began to wonder, if he would reflect on it, and treasure it as I have mine. Well I got my answer the next day... as he asked every single day if it had arrived in the mail.

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It arrived in good timing, and he has been reading and pondering it ever since.

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So cool, what a neat milestone in his life. It is such a blessing to watch him grow and develop and I am learning it is all good, even if it is not always exactly as I would have it; or think it should be.

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He is such a good kid, and an amazing blessing in my life!

I am so full of joy that God has in trusted me with him, even for such a short time.... how do I apply for an extension? I just know the next couple of years just won't be enough!!!

From London with Love...

I just wanted to save this to my blog...

I totally have a heart (hit/viewer) in London!

Thanks Rachel!

Cherishing every moment...

My realization this morning that I might NOT be cherishing every moment...

inspired me to dust off my camera again; I have been horrible at taking pictures lately.

My family was used to me taking a shot, even at ridiculous times that didn't seem significant... but when I look back through my online journal blog... every one of those moments are so precious to me. Big or small, I want to cherish and remember them all.

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So all soaked up in these mushy feelings... I longed to see my strong silent mysterious man today! So I called him to see if he could take time out for lunch... he is super busy and mostly working right through lunch these days. But he agreed!

So we ran over to the local burger joint... and when I pulled out my camera to get the cute hand written sign of specials in a self portrait of the two of us, he rolls his eyes and says "oh jeez"! The place was filled with all kinds of manly worker types who flock into one of the only places to grab a bite in this tiny town. He is such a good sport! And he hasn't lost that loving feeling and agree to let me take the photo.

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I left after lunch with him and stopped by the high school and dropped off a surprise in the teenagers golf clubs in the car, so he would find it before his tournament tonight. I forgot to get a picture... I was so busy looking over my shoulder to make sure I wouldn't get caught leaving campus by the principles parking lot guard. But I did take a min. to leave him a good luck note... and I think he will enjoy his surprise.

Food is definitely the way to this kids heart.

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Cheesy, I know... but it's hard to cherish the moments, without including my favorite people in some way. So this is me cherishing Friday lunch break and my boys.

Change of hats...

I love black and white photography... and I saw these "Spring Hats in Paris" photos on the web. And while I don't love hats, they do remind me of my sister, she loves hats, and has the correct attitude to pull them off, and can have fun with them.

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So I decided to tell my story with hats today... since she was really my inspiration!

To adjust my attitude, and put on a new hat!

I woke up pondering... what would I DECIDE to do today?

Questioning myself and my ability to accomplish anything I could dream.

Feeling coy and unsure.Knowing there was so much in life for me to see and experience today.
I had a quick chat with my sister, we shared and encouraged each other.
We really have to have more of these conversations... we don't talk enough in our busy lives!I heard her say... I am trying to be "like you" and really cherish the beauty around me... it hit a chord with me. I am so busy worrying about what I am to accomplish, I am accomplishing and cherishing nothing... and then beating myself up about it.


So I need to put on my confidence, grab my camera, and get out there and cherish and LOVE my life today! Put on a new hat!
With grace and humility, of course!

Look out world, here I come!